The History of Ashwagandha

 

 

 

Finding ways to minimize or alleviate stress is not a modern concern - in fact, throughout history, civilizations employed all types of stress relief methods, from saunas and baths, yoga, and massage. These types of stress relief have stood the test of time and are still implemented today with great success. Still, just as in other centuries, those methods may not have provided enough relief. While farming in the colonies was essential to growing food survival, additional herbs were farmed for medicinal purposes.

In India, one plant proved beneficial not only for overall physical health but for stress and relaxation too. That plant is the Ashwagandha plant, and its benefits are substantial. Let's take a look at the history of this miraculous plant, its many uses, and more.

This History of Ashwagandha

The use of the medicinal herb Ashwagandha can be traced back to 6000 BC and its use in Ayurveda. Ayurveda is one of the oldest holistic health systems globally, and its roots are in India. Ashwagandha has been known for thousands of years to relieve stress and anxiety and promote overall wellness and longevity. The plant itself is a small flowering shrub, but its power is the Ashwagandha root. The word Ashwagandha itself in Sanskrit means "smell of the horse." The name could have been given because the shrub emits a strong smell and the fact that the plant can enhance your overall strength.

What Is Ashwagandha Used For?

Ashwagandha has been shown to help many health ailments, not the least of which is promoting calm and relaxation. If you struggle with mental health issues daily or are going through a difficult season, approaching the problem with a natural product like Ashwagandha should be considered a first resort. It has a low adverse reaction profile non-addicting. In fact, significantly few side effects have been attributed to the use of Ashwagandha.

Another benefit of the plant is its ability to diminish fatigue, increase stamina and energy levels. So while it simultaneously relaxes you, it invigorates you. This is one huge plus of using Ashwagandha or stress and anxiety issues as typical pharmaceuticals that combat those issues can not only make you tired but are addictive in nature as well.

In addition to the benefits mentioned earlier, Ashwagandha has also been shown to boost memory and concentration. While better performance on mental tasks goes hand in hand with concentration, the use of Ashwagandha has demonstrated a significant increase in productivity, reaction time, and performance when it comes to cognitive tasks.

Other Medicinal Herbs

Depending on what the issues that need to be addressed are, throughout history, other medicinal herbs have been used to alleviate both physical and mental conditions. Many of these are still implemented today for the same purposes. When you're having trouble sleeping, you likely still turn to Chamomile tea to relax you or Lavender-scented pillow spray to lull you into a sweet sleep. Echinacea is a common herb used to treat colds and touches of flu and boost overall immunity.

Culinary herbs like Ginger and Garlic have been used for health issues for thousands of years. Ginger is a fantastic natural alternative for upset tummies and nausea - it's not just a palate cleanser when eating sushi! Ginger has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can even help migraines. Garlic has been used for centuries to support a wide range of protective benefits. Some of the benefits of Garlic are protecting your cardiovascular health, and it has antimicrobial properties, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory. While you probably cook with it often, don't be afraid to add a little more than you usually would for all its benefits. Additionally, when you feel a sickness coming on, eating half a clove of Garlic several times a day has been shown to help you stave off the infection.

As outlined above, it's clear that the power of medicinal herbs and flowers is something that our ancestors clearly understand and many of us today still implement to achieve health and wellness. Whether you want to grow your own or purchase these products from natural foods stores, they are worth considering as the first line of defense against any health issues you may be facing.